Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can do these activities on a self-guided tour or you can book the Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Full-Day Tour from Lisbon.
I recommend taking the train from Lisbon to Sintra, and then from the Sintra train station take tourist buses to the most popular attractions which run regularly.
Your Trip To Sintra
Sintra Itinerary
Your first early stop should be Pena Palace to avoid crowds. This brightly-painted palace envisioned by King Ferdinand II is regarded as one of the very best in all of Europe.
Pena Palace
At Palacio da Pena you can walk the grounds & garden. A popular trail is the Cruz Alta. Walking to the cross takes about 30 minutes & you can enjoy scenic views.
I recommend lunch in town. There are several restaurants & cafes in central Sintra to choose from. I grabbed a quick lunch from a cafe, & picked up some Portuguese pastries at Piriquita.
Sintra National Palace was used by Portuguese nobility from the 15th to 19th centuries, making it the most-used royal residence in Portugal and is one of the top attractions in Sintra.
Sintra Palace
Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is 15 minutes from Sintra. This was my favorite. It looks like a fairy tale castle. You can go inside the 5-story house & stroll the gardens.
Take time to explore the gardens which have grottoes, towers, & fountains. The spiraling well is just one of several features in the gardens that represent ancient secret orders.
The Moorish Castle is a castle ruin that sits on a hill high above the town of Sintra and is a great place to end your day in Sintra. I recommend spending 40 minutes to an hour here.